Cargo Volumes Dip at Port of Los Angeles

By Karen Robes Meeks

The Port of Los Angeles saw a 5.4 percent drop in cargo movement last month when compared to January 2019, according to new numbers released Thursday.

The port handled 806,144 TEUs, including 414,731 TEUs in imports, a 3.5 percent decrease from the same period last year. Following 14 straight months of declines due to tariffs on US products, exports rose 2.2 percent to 148,206 TEUs. Meanwhile, empty containers fell 12.4 percent to 243,207 TEUs.

“We anticipated that tariffs would continue to impact cargo volumes as we moved into 2020, and our January volumes reflect that ongoing trend,” said Port Executive Director Gene Seroka. “The coronavirus, which prompted China’s Central Government to extend the Lunar New Year holiday, adds a new layer of uncertainty to global trade. The Port of Los Angeles is committed to ongoing collaboration with our customers and supply chain partners to innovate and adapt to new trade patterns.”

By Sarah Spangler